Robbie Amell cast as DC hero Firestorm on The CW's Flash series

While The CW series ARROW has attempted to keep itself grounded in a more realistic universe, the introduction of The Flash has forced the series to embrace fully comic book physics and science. So, when THE FLASH debuts this fall, all realistic bets are off as the series will showcase additional super-powered characters.

Variety has just revealed that Robbie Amell (cousin to ARROW star Stephen Amell) will join THE FLASH as Ronnie Raymond. Raymond, in the comics, is fused with a physicist during a nuclear accident to become the hero Firestorm. For THE FLASH, the introduction will be slightly different.

Ronnie Raymond, a maintenance worker at S.T.A.R. Labs and Dr. Caitlin Snow’s (Danielle Panabaker) fiancé, plays an integral part in the particle accelerator accident that transforms Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) into The Flash.

Amell was recently a star on The CW's THE TOMORROW PEOPLE and has worked steadily in smaller films in recent years. While there will likely be cross-overs with ARROW in the future, for now it looks like THE FLASH is hoping to build a distinct universe.

The pilot for THE FLASH recently leaked online in advance of it's premiere at San Diego Comic Con in a few weeks. From the trailers released so far, THE FLASH does appear to share a little more in common with SMALLVILLE than ARROW, but here's hoping network television continues to provide a fertile home for DC characters.